Opportunities for Family Doctor Input—But We Need a Better Path Forward

Dear SGFP Members,
Today I’m sharing two important opportunities for family doctors to provide input and leadership into processes that directly affect our practices and our patients. These invitations reflect the demand for family physician voices—but they also highlight a deeper issue.

While many of these engagements are well-intentioned, SGFP remains deeply concerned about the way family doctors are being included—especially when it comes to timing, coordination, and the opportunity to meaningfully shape what impacts our practices, rather than simply respond to work done by others on our behalf. Primary care is complex, chronically underfunded, and under extraordinary pressure. Yet these invitations continue to arrive through a patchwork of seemingly disconnected initiatives. Without clarity on priorities, timelines, or how these efforts will reach day-to-day practice, meaningful progress remains out of reach.

It doesn’t have to be this way. SGFP has been actively putting forward solutions. At least three other provinces have already built innovative leadership structures that empower family physicians to lead and influence system change. Ontario’s family doctors deserve the same.

While we continue to push for stronger structures that support coordinated engagement, there are opportunities available now where your input can make a difference. We receive a high volume of requests to circulate such invitations, and while we can’t share them all, these stood out as particularly relevant (please see below for additional details):
• eConsult feedback initiative
• eReferral forms review

We hope you will consider participating in the opportunities above, each of which represents a chance to shape work that directly impacts family medicine. In the meantime, SGFP will continue to advocate for the coordinated, meaningful engagement and leadership structures that Ontario’s family doctors need—and deserve.

Warm Regards,
Dr. Dave Barber
Chair, SGFP

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Details on Opportunities

eConsult Service – Call for Family Medicine Specialist Participation
The Ontario eConsult service is launching Comprehensive Family Medicine BASE™ Groups across the province and is seeking 12–15 experienced family physicians to serve as regional family medicine specialists. Physicians will be selected from across Ontario’s health regions (2–3 per Ontario Health Region) to participate in this initiative.

Participants will receive eConsult requests via the OTNhub platform from new-to-practice physicians, nurse practitioners, or community specialists caring for patients without a family doctor. This initiative aims to strengthen clinical support networks and improve access to timely, primary care-informed advice across the province.

For more information or to express interest in signing up as a Comprehensive Family Medicine Specialist, please email eConsultCOE@toh.ca.

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eReferral Forms – Call for Feedback

Ontario Health and Amplify Care are seeking clinical feedback on newly drafted standardized eReferral forms. These forms are designed to streamline referral processes, reduce administrative burden and support more time for direct patient care. 

Physicians are invited to review forms, including those in orthopedics, cataract and medical imaging (CT, MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, bone mineral density) and submit feedback directly through the AmplifyCare website by July 4. 

Your input will help shape practical, user-friendly referral tools that can be used across Ontario’s health system.